The who, why and what for every volunteer leader

Volunteer leaders are precious, so it’s important to foster a culture of treating leaders well.

Volunteer leaders are precious. I learnt these four words in my early 20s. Like many young adults, I was passionate for Jesus and wanted to serve him everywhere. Summer was filled with camps. Uni timetables were arranged around ministry opportunities. I got to serve in a variety of teams and learn so much about Jesus, his Word and people. I also learnt these four words from my team leaders. These men and women had high expectations and exciting goals for our teams. But they also treated each leader as precious; more than a name on a list or a resource for a ministry. They ministered to me as I ministered to others.

Volunteer leaders are precious. Relationship-orientated ministers know this intuitively. Task orientated leaders need to remind themselves of these four words before every ministry meeting. Volunteer leaders are not precious because they are doing us a favour or are ‘special’ Christians. They are precious because before they are leaders, they are God’s children. Whether they are young or mature, experienced or fresh; they are the chosen, adopted, loved and Spirit-filled children of our good God through the work of Jesus (Ephesians 1:5-8). They are brothers and sisters before they are co-workers. As team leaders, we need to remember this amid busy programs with exciting, God-honouring goals.

There are many ways we can care for volunteer leaders as precious gifts from God. Thanking them personally, publicly and prayerfully recognises the role they play in Christ’s body.  Providing helpful resources that accelerate their ministry are often gratefully received. Looking for and sharing specific, encouraging feedback energises leaders to serve God joyfully.

Importantly, the culture of treating leaders well is formed at the leader recruitment stage, well before the leader begins to serve. All our precious leaders need a clear who, why and two whats.

1.       Who are we as leaders?

The first thing my youth minister did when she invited me onto the team was to read 1 Timothy 3 and talk about the character of the leaders on the team. She was passionate to recruit a team of godly, growing leaders who were proud to be a holy team and embraced the impact of their model on young people (Hebrews 13:7). Her clarity helped me grasp the privilege and responsibility it was to serve Jesus on this team.

2.       Why we do this ministry?

Every leader needs to be able to articulate a ministry’s purpose and goals, and identify its stakeholders. This needs to be more than fulfilling safe ministry ratios or filling a gap on a roster. Every single youth and children’s ministry leader plays a significant role in discipling young people to meet, know and follow Jesus, partners with parents and families of all shapes and sizes, and works passionately with God to see lives transformed. Clarity of purpose ensures that volunteer leaders grasp their place in God’s work.

3.       What they are being asked to do?

We treat leaders as precious when we spend the time to clearly articulate the tasks of a leader and the commitments of being in the team. Too often we forget or fail to provide volunteer leaders with job descriptions. This is a recipe for leader disappointment, frustration, and apathy. Clear job descriptions provide leaders with the clarity they need to prayerfully consider the role. The resources at Safe Ministry or from colleagues from other churches can help us develop clear tasks and expectations for our precious leaders.

4.       What we will do to support them?

We treat leaders as precious when we articulate how we will support them and train them. This is the most often missed step of leader recruitment. God calls his team leaders to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12). It is essential that we clearly describe how we will support them as they serve God. Our commitment to them needs to be as measurable as their commitment to the team. Volunteer leaders will know they are precious when their leaders invest in them.

Volunteer leaders are precious. I let these words shape my prayers before every ministry meeting as I thank God for my brothers and sisters who are willing to give their time, energy, love, wisdom and life to help young people meet God in his Word and follow him in all areas of their life.